[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for acquiring x-ray image date at
two energy spectra, and to apparatus for reading the information stored on two registered
transparencies acquired by said method. In a primary application the invention relates
to diagnostic x-ray systems where selected images are created representing specific
body materials.
[0002] In US-A--4 029 963 issued to R. E. Alvarez and A. Macovski a method was described
of acquiring and processing x-ray images at two energy spectra. The processed images
can subsequently be used to selectively image various body materials. In the referenced
patent two photosensitive emulsions are exposed using two scintillating screens separated
by an optically opaque layer, which is transparent to x-rays. One problem with the
system shown is that of achieving sufficient separation of the two energy spectra
used to obtain the two acquired images. When these spectra have significant spectral
overlap, with relatively small separation in the average energies, the resultant processed.images
have poor signal-to-noise ratio.
[0003] Another problem with the method shown in that patent is that of registration. In
the system shown, the films representing each energy spectrum are scanned independently.
This can often result in misregistration with the processed images becoming distorted.
This registration problem was solved in US-A-4 413 353 "X-Ray Encoding Systems Using
an Optical Grating" invented by R. E. Alvarez, A. Macovski and B. Strul. In that document
the information is encoded using an optical grating. Here the two images are represented
by different spatial frequencies and can thus remain perfectly registered. In this
system, however, the readout operation requires resolving the very high spatial frequencies
of the optical gratings. Thus much of the resolution capacity of the optical scanner
is used for the grating frequencies.
[0004] An object of this invention is to provide a method of acquiring x-ray projection
data onto photographic film at different x-ray spectra with good spectra separation.
[0005] It is a further object of this invention to provide a method for reading out the
acquired data in good registration without requiring excess spatial resolution.
[0006] It is a further object of this invention to provide a dual film system which enables
data acquisition with good spectral separation and readout in good registration.
[0007] In order to satisfy these objects there is provided, in accordance with the present
invention, and starting from the prior art of US-A-4 029 963, a method for acquiring
x-ray image date at two energy spectra comprising the steps of projecting an x-ray
beam through a body onto a first scintillating screen coupled to a first photographic
emulsion, and projecting the x-ray beam onto a second scintillating screen coupled
to a second photographic emulsion, characterised in that the x-ray beam is filtered
after passing, through the first scintillating screen. The present invention also
comprises an apparatus for acquiring x-ray images of an object at two energy data
comprising an x-ray source producing an x-ray beam; means for transmitting the beam
through the object onto a first scintillating screen nearest the x-ray source; means
for storing the light image emitted from the first scintillating screen on a first
photosensitive surface adjacent to the first scintillating screen; a second scintillation
screen parallel to the first scintillating screen and receiving the x-ray beam transmitted
by the first scintillating screen; and a second photosensitive surface adjacent to
the second scintillating screen for storing the light image emitted by the second
scintillating screen; characterised in that an optically opaque layer which selectively
filters the x-ray beam is placed between the first and second scintillating screens.
[0008] A beam hardening filter is preferably placed between the two screens to increase
the spectral separation of the two acquired images. An additional x-ray filter may
be advantageously used at the x-ray source having a K-absorption edge in the region
of spectral overlap to increase the spectral separation. The individual films are
preferably joined at at least one edge to assure registration on readout.
[0009] Apparatus for reading the information stored on two registered transparencies acquired
by the above method is characterised in that it comprises a partially reflecting mirror
to be positioned between the two transparencies; means for illuminating the combination
of the two transparencies and the partially reflecting mirror; means for detecting
the amplitude of light passing through the first transparency, reflected by the partially
reflecting mirror and retransmitted through the first transparency; means for detecting
the amplitude of light transmitted through the first transparency, the partially reflecting
mirror, and the second transparency; and means for processing the two detected signals
to provide processed signals representing the information on each transparency.
[0010] The transmitted light represents the sums of the two film densities while the reflected
light represents the density of the first film only. The resultant signals are processed
to provide individual representations of the high and low energy acquired data.
[0011] Preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the invention are described
in dependent claims 2 to 3, 5 to 7 and 9 to 12.
[0012] For a more complete disclosure of the invention reference may be made to the following
description of several illustrative embodiments thereof which is given in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, of which:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustrating an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates graphs describing the performance of the invention;
Figure 3 illustrates another graph describing the performance of the invention;
Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a readout system;
Figure 4a is a closeup of a portion of the readout system;
Figures 5a, 5b and 5c are alternate embodiments of dual film systems;
Figure 6 is a block diagram of the signal processing system used in the invention;
Figure 7 is an embodiment of a dual screen system;
Figure 8 is an alternate embodiment of a readout system using a television camera;
and
Figure 9 is an alternate embodiment of a readout system using a drum scanner.
[0013] An understanding of the broad aspects of the invention may best be had by reference
to Fig. 2 of the drawings. It is desired to make selective projection images of specific
materials of object 10, usually the human anatomy, by making measurements at two energy
spectra and processing the measurements. As shown, an x-ray beam 12, produced by source
11 is projected through object 10 onto a parallel array consisting of scintillating
screens 14 and 20, substrates 15 and 18 with their respective photosensitive surfaces
16 and 19, and an optically opaque x-ray filter 17. As described in the prior art,
the lower energy x-rays are selectively absorbed in the first screen 14 with the higher
energy x-rays passing onto screen 20. The light from these screens is recorded on
photosensitive surfaces 16 and 19 respectively.
[0014] Figure 2 illustrates typical response spectra for the two screens as graph 30 for
screen 14 and graph 31 for screen 20. As is seen the lower energy graph 30 and the
higher energy graph 31 have considerable overlap. This reduces the separation in their
average energies and seriously limits the ability of subsequent processing systems.
The net result is poor signal-to-noise ratio in the resultant processed selected images.
[0015] This problem is greatly alleviated by using x-ray filter 17 between the two screens.
This filter can be designed to increase the spectral separation. For example, filter
17 can be an x-ray beam-hardening material, such as copper, which selectively absorbs
lower energies. As shown in the dashed line in Fig. 2, graph 32 illustrates the response
of screen 20 with the beam-hardening filter 17. The separation is significantly increased,
resulting in improved signal-to-noise ratio. The thickness and material used in filter
17 are a compromise between spectral separation and the attenuation of the desired
higher energy x-ray photons. In addition, filter 17 should be optically opaque to
prevent optical cross talk where the light produced by the two screens would reach
the opposite photosensitive surface. Clearly a unique type of film system is required
to enable insertion of filter 17, as will be subsequently discussed.
[0016] To further provide spectral separation filter 13 is placed between the x-ray source
11 and object 10. This filter has a K-absorption edge in the vicinity of the region
of overlap between the two spectra. The graph of the transmitted spectra of this filter
is illustrated in Fig. 3. As shown, the K-absorption edge attenuates the region of
overlap, thus providing further spectral separation. Representative materials having
K edges in this region are the rare earths such as europium and gadolinium, and other
materials such as tungsten and tantalum. One desirable characteristic of the filter
is attenuation of the tungsten characteristic emission lines from the x-ray source.
These tend to reduce the spectral separation.
[0017] Having recorded separable spectral information on the two photosensitive surfaces
16 and 19, we must now read them out, after a suitable image development process where
photosensitive emulsions 16 and 19 become transparencies. This is accomplished, as
shown in Fig. 4, by placing a partially reflecting mirror 44 between substrates 15
and 18. Here again the unique configuration of the film system, to be described, enables
the partially reflecting mirror to be inserted. This mirror can consist of a metallic
layer on some substrate such as mylar. The metal film can be sandwiched between two
plastic layers to protect it from scratching.
[0018] The partially reflecting mirror enables the readout of two signals; a first signal
due to light passing through transparency 16, being reflected by mirror 44 and passing
back through transparency 16 and being detected by detector 46, and a second signal
due to light passing through transparency 16, mirror 44 and transparency 19 and being
detected by detector 48. Thus the signal detected by detector 46 represents the first
transparency and the signal detected by detector 48 represents the product of both
transparencies. Appropriate processing can provide signals representing each transparency.
In this way the data are read out with a single light beam, insuring perfect registration.
Systems can be used with fully reflecting mirrors and separate scanning beams on each
side reading the individual transparencies. These, however, would suffer from potential
misregistration problems.
[0019] Taking a detailed study of Fig. 4, light beam scanner 40, preferably a laser scanner,
produces scanned light beam 41. This is collimated using lens 42. The collimated beam
passes through partially reflecting mirror 43 through transparency 16 onto partially
reflecting mirror 44. The light reflected from 44 goes back through transparency 16,
is reflected by partially reflecting mirror 43 onto collecting lens 45 where it is
concentrated onto photocell detector 46 to provide signal 49. The light transmitted
by mirror 44 passes through transparency 19 and is collected by collecting lens 47
and concentrated onto photocell detector 48 to form signal 50. These scanned signals,
49 and 50, define the information stored on the two transparencies.
[0020] Figure 4a is a detailed look at an embodiment of a focusing system. Here the incoming
scanned light beam is represented by converging rays 53 and 54. These are transmitted
through mirror 44 and focus on transparency 19, then diverge to form rays 55 and 56
where they go on to detector 48. The rays reflected from mirror 44 focus onto transparency
16, then diverge to rays 57 and 58 where they go on to detector 46. Thus the detected
signals include focused components of both transparencies.
[0021] The photosensitive substrates 16 and 19 and their substrates 15 and 18 can be used
in a variety of configurations. In Fig. 5a the partially reflecting mirror 44 is bonded
to the substrates to form a single bonded sandwich of the various layers. This sandwich
can be used in the scanner of Fig. 4 and in the subsequently described scanners of
Figs. 8 and 9. It cannot, however, be used in the system of Fig. 1 where an x-ray
filter 17 is placed between the photosensitive surfaces. It therefore cannot use that
mechanism of improved spectral separation because of its bonded nature. However, the
spectral separation mechanism of x-ray filter 13 can continue to be used.
[0022] In order to enable the use of x-ray filter 17, a mechanism must be provided of inserting
a layer between the substrates 15 and 18. One method is shown in Fig. 5b wherein the
substrates 15 and 18 are connected or hinged at one end with connecting section 60.
This is simply a plastic connection bonding the films at one end. When the x-ray film
is exposed as in Fig. 1, the beam-hardening x-ray filter 17 can be placed between
substrates 15 and 18. On readout, a partially reflecting mirror 44 is placed between
the substrates. The recorded transparencies 16 and 19 remain in perfect registration
because they remain connected.
[0023] To provide even greater restraint on the relative movement of the individual transparencies
the configuration shown in Fig. 5c can be used where the substrates 15 and 18 are
joined on three edges, forming an envelope. Here substrates 15 and 18 are connected
at every edge except the top. Opening 61 can be used for inserting x-ray hardening
filter 17 on recording and partially reflecting mirror 44 when reading. The configurations
of 5b and 5c are exemplary of a variety of possibilities which allow insertion of
an intermediate layer. For example, the substrates can be joined at two adjacent edges
with an open flap, or at specific points around the edges whereby registration of
developed transparencies 16 and 19 is maintained.
[0024] The detected signals 49 and 50 in Fig. 4 are processed as shown in Fig. 6. To a first
approximation, the resultant light transmission of each transparency represents the
desired log of the x-ray intensity. Thus first processor 70 in Fig. 6 can initially
compensate for nonlinearities in the H-D curve of the film emulsion. In addition,
it is desired to provide signals which represent the individual transmissions of each
transparency. Signal 49 directly represents the signal due to traversing transparency
16 twice or Ti . Signal 50 represents the transmission through both transparencies
TlT2. One method of processing involves taking the square root of signal 49 to provide
T" and then dividingsignal 50 by y to provide
T2. These can then go through appropriate linearity correction to provide signals representing
the logs of the high and low energy x-ray intensities, 71 and 72.
[0025] These signals are passed on to dual energy processor 73 which is described in the
previously referenced U.S. patent 4,029,963. This processor, using nonlinear combinations
of 71 and 72, provides linearized basic images 74 and 75. These can either represent
the photoelectric and Comp- ton scattering components, or preferably the equivalent
amounts of specific materials used in calibration such as aluminum and plastic. Weighted
sums or differences of these basic components are taken in 76 to allow a variety of
material selection capabilities such as the elimination or enhancement of any material.
The selected image is displayed in display monitor 78.
[0026] Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of a cassette used in the x-ray recording process.
Here scintillation screens 14 and 20 are hinged, as in existing film-screen cassettes,
to facilitate the insertion of a dual emulsion film. In addition, however, the beam-hardening
filter 17 is affixed to the hinge 65. This enables the various separated film structures,
as shown in Figs. 5b and 5c, to be placed with filter 17 between the film emulsions.
In this way the important energy spectrum separation is. enhanced.
[0027] Figure 4 shows a readout system using a single scanning light beam. Figures 8 and
9 show another general approach to readout using two light sources. A front light
source 83, on the detector side, illuminates the first transparency with its light
reflected by mirror 82 into the detector. A second light source 85, behind the films,
transmits through both transparencies to the detector. These light sources require
some type of encoding so that they can be distinguished by the detector. This encoding
can be temporal, spatial, color, polarization, etc.
[0028] In Fig. 8 front light source 83 is driven by generator 84 with back light source
85 driven by generator 86. The light from 83 is reflected from partially reflecting
mirror 82 through transparency 16 and reflected back through. transparency 16 from
partially reflecting mirror 44. This reflected light is imaged onto TV camera 80 using
lens 81. Similarly the light from 85 is transmitted through transparencies 19 and
16 and is imaged onto camera 80 with lens 81.
[0029] To separate these signals, the lights 83 and 85 can be turned on alternately using
generators 84 and 86. Thus a first frame is scanned by camera 80 representing the
reflected light with 83 on and a second frame representing the transmitted light with
85 on. The separator 87, in this case is a video storage system which stores at least
the first frame. Thus signals 49 and 50 are generated which, as before, represent
the light transmitted and reflected through 16 and the light transmitted through both
19 and 16.
[0030] Other encoding systems can be used where the transparencies 16 and 19 are scanned
simultaneously. Lights 83 and 85 can be of different colors with camera 80 a color
camera. Here signals 49 and 50 would simply represent the different color signals.
Also lights 83 and 85 could project different spatial patterns onto the transparencies
which could be distinguished by processing the camera output signal. For example,
gratings of different frequencies could be projected with separator 87 consisting
of filters which separate the two frequencies representing the two transparency combinations.
Generators 84 and 86 can also be high frequency signals which turn the lights on and
off at a relatively high rate. In that case camera 80 must be a non-storage instantaneous
camera such as an image dissector to produce the high frequency signals which distinguish
the two sources of illumination.
[0031] Since some television cameras have limited resolution capability, Fig. 9 illustrates
the same system applied to a drum scanner where relatively high resolution can be
realized. Here the sandwiched layers of the two substrates 15 and 18 with the intermediate
reflector 44 are wound around rotating drum 93. Light source 85 and lens 92 are inside
the drum. They are fixed so that they do not rotate or translate with the drum. The
light from 85 is focused onto the transparencies 16 and 19 using lens 92. Similarly
the light from source 83 is reflected off partially reflecting mirror 82 and focused
onto the transparencies using lens 91. The resultant light from both sources, after
interacting with the transparencies, passes through mirror 82 onto detector 90. The
signal from detector 90 is passed through signal separator 87 which, as before, provides
signals 49 and 50 representing the individual light sources.
[0032] The encoding, as before, can be achieved by alternately turning lights 85 and 83
on and off using generators 86 and 84 respectively. This should be accomplished at
the rate new picture elements are scanned past the focal region. Separator 87 will
alternately switch the detector output to 49 and 50 to provide the required signal
separation. Filters can be used to remove the high frequency switching components.
As before the light sources can have different colors with detector 90 being a dual
detector with different color filters on each photocell. Each output will then directly
provide the separable signals 49 and 50.
[0033] Systems of this type often require a high degree of accuracy. The separation of the
signals from the two transparencies is based on assumed properties of the partially
reflecting mirror 44. To insure that variations in the reflectivity and transmission
of the mirror do not cause errors, it can be scanned, with any of the systems shown,
in the absence of the transparencies 16 and 19 on substrates 18 and 15. Any variations
can be recorded and stored. These can be used to correct signals 49 and 50 to avoid
errors in the reproduced selective material images.
[0034] It should be emphasized that the readout systems shown in Figs. 4, and 9 have the
special quality of automatic perfect registration of the two transparencies. A variety
of alternate scanning systems can be used which do not provide automatic perfect registration.
These can, however, provide adequate registration if care is taken. For example, if
the transparencies can be opened up, as in the configuration of Fig. 5b, they can
be scanned separately or in sequence. Registration marks can be placed on each transparency
to electronically identify the relative position of the two transparencies.
[0035] If the configuration of Fig. 5c is used, a dual fully reflecting mirror can be inserted
between the substrates 15 and 18. In that case the individual transparencies can be
scanned individually or in sequence from each side. These methods, however, do not
have the automatic registration features of the previously described system.
1. A method for acquiring x-ray image data at two energy spectra comprising the steps
of: projecting an x-ray beam (12) through a body (10) onto a first scintillating screen
(14) coupled to a first photographic emulsion (16), and
projecting the x-ray beam onto a second scintillating screen (20) coupled to a second
photographic emulsion (19), characterised in that the x-ray beam is filtered after
passing, through the first scintillating screen.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of filtering the x-ray beam includes
the step of hardening the x-ray beam by selectively attenuating the lower energy region
of the spectrum.
3. The method according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the energy spectrum
separation between the two cascaded energy-selective x-ray detectors is increased
by filtering the x-ray source (11) with a material (13) having a K-absorption edge
substantially in the region of significant overlap of the overall spectrum of the
two detectors.
4. Apparatus for acquiring x-ray images of an object at two energy data comprising:
an x-ray source (11) producing an x-ray beam (12);
means for transmitting the beam through the object (10) onto a first scintillating
screen (14) nearest the x-ray source;
means for storing the light image emitted from the first scintillating screen (14)
on a first photosensitive surface (16) adjacent to the first scintillating screen;
a second scintillation screen (20) parallel to the first scintillating screen and
receiving the x-ray beam transmitted by the first scintillating screen; and
a second photosensitive surface (19) adjacent to the second scintillating screen for
storing the light image emitted by the second scintillating screen; characterised
in that an optically opaque layer (17) which selectively filters the x-ray beam is
placed between the first and second scintillating screens (14, 20).
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that the optically opaque layer
is an x-ray beam hardening filter which selectively attenuates the lower energy x-rays
transmitted to the second scintillating screen.
6. Apparatus according to claims 4 or 5, characterised in that it comprises an x-ray
filter (13) for filtering the x-ray source (11) with a material having a K-absorption
edge substantially in the region of significant overlap of the overall spectrum of
the two detectors.
7. Apparatus according to claims 4, 5 or 6, characterised by means (65) for separating
the two screens and the optically opaque layer so that a first substrate with a photosensitive
surface can be inserted between the first scintillating screen and the optically opaque
x-ray filtering layer and a second substrate with a photosensitive surface can be
inserted between the second scintillating screen and the optically opaque layer (Fig.
7).
8. Apparatus for reading the information stored on two registered transparencies acquired
by the method of claims 1, 2 or 3 characterised in that it comprises
a partially reflecting mirror (44) to be positioned between the two transparencies
(16, 19);
means (40; 83,85) for illuminating the combination of the two transparencies and the
partially reflecting mirror;
means (46,80; 90) for detecting the amplitude of light passing through the first transparency
(16), reflected by the partially reflecting mirror (44) and retransmitted through
the first transparency;
means (48; 80; 90) for detecting the amplitude of light transmitted through the first
transparency (16), the partially reflecting mirror (44), and the second transparency
(19); and
means (70) for processing the two detected signals to provide processed signals representing
the information on each transparency.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that the two registered transparencies
(16, 19) are disconnected on at least one edge whereby the partially reflecting mirror
(44) can be inserted.
10. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that the partially reflecting
mirror is permanently enclosed between the two registered transparencies.
11. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that the means (30) for illuminating
the two transparencies is a scanning light beam and the detecting means includes a
first detector (46) detecting the reflected light beam and
a second detector (48) detecting the transmitted light beam.
12. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterised in that the means for illuminating
the two transparencies comprises a first encoded light source (83) illuminating the
side having the first transparency (16), a second encoded light source (85) illuminating
the side having the second transparency (19), whereby a single detector means (80;
90) separately detects the reflected light passing through the first transparency
(16) and the transmitted light passing through both transparencies (16, 19).
1. Procédé pour l'acquisition de données d'images radiographiques à deux spectres
d'énergie, comprenant les étapes qui consistent:
à projeter un faisceau (12) de rayons X à travers un corps (10) sur un premier écran
(14) à scintillation couplé à une première émulsion photographique (16), et
à projeter la faisceau de rayons X sur un second écran (20) à scintillation couplé
à une seconde émulsion photographique (19), caractérisé en ce que le faisceau de rayons
X est filtré après être passé à travers le premier écran à scintillation.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'étape de filtrage du faisceau de
rayons X consiste à durcir le faisceau de rayons X par une atténuation sélective de
la bande d'énergie inférieure du spectre.
3. Procédé selon les revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la séparation spectrale
d'énergie entre les deux détecteurs de rayons X en cascade, sélectifs envers l'énergie,
est accrue par le filtrage de la source (11) de rayons X avec une matière (13) ayant
une discontinuité d'absorption K sensiblement dans la zone du recouvrement notable
du spectre global des deux détecteurs.
4. Appareil pour l'acquisition d'images radiographiques d'un objet à deux niveaux
d'énergie, comprenant:
une source (11) de rayons X produisant un faisceau (12) de rayons X;
des moyens destinés à transmettre le faisceau à travers l'objet (10) sur un premier
écran (14) à scintillation le plus proche de la source de rayons X;
des moyens destinés à emmagasiner l'image lumineuse émise par le premier écran (14)
à scintillation sur une première surface photosensible (16) adjacente au premier écran
à scintillation;
un second écran (20) à scintillation parallèle au premier écran à scintillation et
recevant lefaisceau de rayons X transmis par le premier écran à scintillation; et
une seconde surface photosensible (19) adjacente au second écran à scintillation afin
de mémoriser l'image lumineuse émise par le second écran à scintillation; caractérisé
en ce qu'une couche optiquement opaque (17), qui filtre sélectivement le faisceau
de rayons X, est placée entre les premier et second écrans à scintillation (14, 20).
5. Appareil selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que la couche optiquement
opaque est un filtre durcissant le faisceau de rayons X qui atténue sélectivement
les rayons X d'énergie inférieure transmis vers le second écran à scintillation.
6. Appareil selon les revendications 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un filtre
(13) à rayons X destiné à filtrer la source (11) de rayons X avec une matière ayant
une discontinuité d'absorption K sensiblement dans la zone de recouvrement notable
du spectre global des deux détecteurs.
7. Appareil selon les revendications 4, 5 ou 6, caractérisé par des moyens (65) destinés
à séparer les deux écrans et la couche optiquement opaque afin qu'un premier substrat,
présentant une surface photosensible, puisse être inséré entre le premier écran à
scintillation et la couche de filtrage des rayons X optiquement opaque et qu'un second
substrat présentant une surface photosensible puisse être inséré entre le second écran
à scintillation et la couche optiquement opaque (figure 7).
8. Appareil pour lire l'information mémorisée sur deux diapositives alignées acquise
par le procédé des revendications 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend
un miroir partiellement réfléchissant (44) destiné à être placé entre les deux diapositives
(16, 19);
des moyens (40; 83, 85) destinés à éclairer l'ensemble des deux diapositives et le
miroir partiellement réfléchissant;
des moyens (46; 80; 90) destinés à détecter l'amplitude de la lumière passant à travers
la première diapositive (16), réfléchie par le miroir partiellement réfléchissant
(44) et retransmise à travers la première diapositive;
des moyens (48; 80; 90) destinés à détecter l'amplitude de la lumière transmise à
travers la première diapositive (16), le miroir partiellement réfléchissant (44) et
la seconde diapositive (19); et des moyens (70) destinés à traiter les deux signaux
détectés pour produire les signaux traités représentant l'information portée par chaque
diapositive.
9. Appareil selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que les deux diapositives
cadrées (16, 19) sont séparées suivant au moins un bord afin que le miroir partiellement
réfléchissant (44) puisse être inséré.
10. Appareil selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que le miroir partiellement
réfléchissant est enfermé de façon permanente entre les deux diapositives alignées.
11. Appareil selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que les moyens (40) destinés
à éclairer les deux diapositives comprennent un faisceau lumineux de balayage et les
moyens de détection comprennent un premier detecteur (46) détectant le faisceau lumineux
réfléchi et un second détecteur (48) détectant le faisceau lumineux transmis.
12. Appareil selon la revendication 8, caractérisé en ce que les moyens destinés à
éclairer les deux diapositives comprennent une première source de lumière codée (83)
éclairant le côté possédant la première diapositive (16), une seconde source de lumière
codée (85) éclairant le côté ayant la seconde diapositive (19), afin qu'un seul détecteur
(80; 90) détecte séparément la lumière réfléchie passant à travers la première diapositive
(16) et la lumière transmise passant à travers les deux diapositives (16, 19).
1. Verfahren zum Erfassen von Röntgen-Bilddaten bei zwei Energiespektren mit den Schritten:
Projizieren eines Röntgenstrahlbündels (12) durch einen Körper (10) auf einen ersten
Szintillationsschirm (14), der mit einer ersten fotografischen Emulsion (16) gekoppelt
ist, und Projizieren des Röntgenstrahlbündels auf einen zweiten Szintillationsschirm
(20), der mit einer zweiten fotografischen Emulsion (19) gekoppelt ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet,
daß das Röntgenstrahlbündel nach Durchlaufen des ersten Szintillationsschirmes gefiltert
wird.
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem der Schritt des Filterns des Röntgenstrahlbündels
den Schritt des Härtens des Röntgenstrahlbündels durch selektives Schwächen des unteren
Energiebereiches des Spektrums enthält.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Energie-Spektraltrennung
zwischen den zwei kaskadierten energieselektiven Röntgenstrahldetektoren erhöht wird
durch Filtern der Röntgenstrahlquelle (11) mit einem Material (13) mit einer K-Absorptionskante,
die im wesentlichen im Bereich der signifikanten Überdeckung der Gesamtspektren der
beiden Detektoren liegt.
4. Vorrichtung zum Erfassen von Röntgenbildern eines Objektes bei zwei Energiedaten
mit:
einer ein Röntgenstrahlbündel (12) erzeugenden Röntgenstrahlquelle (11);
Mitteln zum Aussenden des Bündels durch das Objekt (10) auf einen ersten, der Röntgenstrahlquelle
zunächst gelegenen Szintillationsschirm (14);
Mitteln zum Speichern des von dem ersten Szintillationsschirm (14) emittierten Licht-Abbildes
auf eine erste, dem ersten Szintillationsschirm benachbarte lichtempfindliche Fläche
(16);
einem zweiten Szintillationsschirm (20), parallel zum ersten Szintillationsschirm,
der das durch den ersten Szintillationsschirm durch gelassene Röntgenstrahlbündel
erhält; und
eine zweite, dem zweiten Szintillationsschirm benachbarte lichtempfindliche Fläche
(19) zum Speichern des durch den zweiten Szintillationsschirm emittierten Licht-Abbildes;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine optisch undurchsichtige Schicht (17), die selektiv
das Röntgenstrahlbündel filtert, zwischen den ersten und den zweiten Szintillationsschirm
(14, 20) gesetzt ist.
5. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die optisch undurchsichtige
Schicht ein Röntgenstrahlbündel härtendes Filter ist, welches selektiv die zu dem
zweiten Szintillationsschirm durchgelassenen Röntgenstrahlen niedriger Energie schwächt.
6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sie ein Röntgenstrahlfilter
(13) zum Filtern der Röntgenstrahlquelle (11) enthält mit einem Material, das eine
K-Absorptionskante im wesentlichen im Bereich der signifikanten Überdeckung der Gesamtspektren
der beiden Detektoren besitzt.
7. Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 4, 5 oder 6, gekennzeichnet durch Mittel (65)
zum Trennen der beiden Schirme und der optisch undurchsichtigen Schicht, so daß ein
erstes Substrat mit einer lichtempfindlichen Fläche zwischen den ersten Szintillationsschirm
und die optisch undurchsichtige Röntgenstrahl-Filterschicht eingesetzt werden kann
und ein zweites Substrat mit einer lichtempfindlichen Fläche zwischen den zweiten
Szintillationsschirm und die optisch undurchsichtige Schicht eingesetzt werden kann
(Fig. 7).
8. Vorrichtung zum Lesen der an zwei miteinander ausgerichteten Transparentbildern
gespeicherten Information, die durch das Verfahren nach Ansprüchen 1, 2 oder 3 erfaßt
wurde, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Vorrichtung enthält einen teilreflektierenden
Spiegel (44) zum Einsetzen zwischen die beiden Transparentbilder (16, 19);
Mittel (40; 83, 85) zum Beleuchten der Kombination aus den beiden Transparentbildern
und dem teilreflektierenden Spiegel;
Mittel (46; 80; 90) zum Erfassen der Amplitude von durch das erste Transparentbild
hindurchgeleitetem, durch den teilreflektierenden Spiegel (44) reflektiertem und wieder
durch das erste Transparentbild hindurchgesendetem Licht;
Mittel (48; 80; 90) zum Erfassen der Amplitude von durch das erste Transparentbild
(16), den teilreflektierenden Spiegel (44) und das zweite Transparentbild (19) hindurchgesendetem
Licht; und
Mittel (70) zum Verarbeiten der beiden erfaßten Signale, um verarbeitete Signale zu
schaffen, die die Information an jedem Transparentbild repräsentieren.
9. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die beiden miteinander
ausgerichteten Transparentbilder (16, 19) an mindestens einer Kante voneinander gelöst
sind, wodurch der teilreflektierende Spiegel (44) eingesetzt werden kann.
10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der teilreflektierende
Spiegel permanent zwischen den beiden ausgerichteten Transparentbildern eingeschlossen
ist.
11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Mittel (40) zum Beleuchten
der beiden Transparentbilder ein Abtast-Lichtstrahl ist und daß das Erfassungsmittel
einen ersten Detektor (46) enthält, der den reflektierten Lichtstrahl erfaßt und einen
zweiten Detektor (48), der den durchgesendeten Lichstrahl erfaßt.
12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Mittel zum Beleuchten
der beiden Transparentbilder eine erste, die Seite mit dem ersten Transparentbild
(16) beleuchtende kodierte Lichtquelle (83) und eine zweite, die Seite mit dem zweiten
Transparentbild (19) beleuchtende kodierte Lichtquelle (85) umfaßt, wodurch je ein
einzelnes Detektormittel (80; 90) getrennt das durch das erste Transparentbild (16)
hindurchtretende reflektierte Licht und das durch beide Transparentbilder (16, 19)
hindurchtretende ausgesendete Licht erfaßt.